Liquid-meter



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(NO Model.)

B. W. GRAVES.

LIQUID METER.

Patented June Q', 1 885.

' 292a Jy%/m M N. PETERS. PhuwLRhogmpML Washingfnn D C.

(N0 Mddel.) 3 Sheen s-Sheet 2.

R. W. GRAVES "LIQUID METER. V N0. 319,811. Patented June 9; 1885.

4 liar/261%);

KM E r/621302:

w 3 t. w C 70 16 l W t I C 11 n- 1-; H .7 Jw w Hz i m w I Q J 3Sheets'Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

B. W. GRAVES.

LIQUID METER.

Patentedjune 9, 1885.

July, 6'.

N- PEYERS. Fhdlo-Uthngmpher. Washi gton, L 6.

Prion.

.Arnnr ROGER W. GRAVES, OF BUFFALO, NEYV YORK.

LIQUID- METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,811, dated June 9,1885. Applicatinn filed August 22, 1884. i (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER W. GRAVES, of the city of Buffalo, in thecounty of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Liquid-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of liquid-metersin which two cylinders are employed, and which are provided withindependent reciprocating pistons, which are set in motion by the liquidpassing through the meter, the admission of the liquid to opposite endsof the meter and the exit of the liquid therefrom being controlledby'valves which are operated by the reciprocating pistons.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple, compact, and reliablemeterof this character; and it consists of the particular improvementsin the construction of the me-- ter, which will be hereinafter fully setforth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is alongitudinal sectional elevation of my improved meter. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section of the same in line w :0, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isahorizontal section in line 1 y, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionin line 2 2, Fig. 1, with the pistons and pistonrods removed. Fig. 5 isa sectional elevation of the upper portion of one of the cylinders andvalve mechanism in line to 10, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a verticalcross-section in line 12 1), Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A A represent the measuring'cylinders, arranged vertically side by side,and which are preferably cast in one piece. The cylinders A A are closedat their lower ends by a bottom plate, A which is provided withwaterpassages a a, which communicate, respectively, with the bottoms ofthe cylinders A A. The cylinders A A are connected at their top andbottom by marginal rims or flanges a a", and the bottom plate, A", issecured to the rim a by screw-bolts a. I

B represents the top cover, and B the valveseat plate arranged betweenthe cover B and the top of the measuring-cylinders A A. The cover B isprovided with a downwardly-extending rim, b, so as to form a chamberbetween the cover and the plate B. The cover B is provided with amarginal flange, b and the plate B is provided with similar flanges,

the upper flange or rim, a", of the cylinders A A, and is securedthereto by screw-bolts b, and the flange or rim 1) of the cover B issecured to the upper rim, b of the plate B by screw-bolts b O 0represent the valve chambers, arranged, respectively, above thecylinders A A, and communicating with the upper ends of the cylinders bymeans of vertical ports or openings c 0', formed inwthe plate B. Thevalvechambers O G are formed by downwardly-depending walls or partitions0 formed on the under side of the cover B, and which rest with theirbase snugly upon the top of the plate B, which latter forms the bottomof the chambers 'O O. The valve-chambers O O are arrangedover thecylinders A Ain such manner that the port a of the chamber 0 willcommunicate with the top of the cylinder A, and the port 0 of thechamber 0 with the top of the cylinder A.

O is a water-passage forming a communication between the chambers O Gand connecting the two chambers.

d is an opening or port formed in the plate B within the chamber 0, andd is a similar opening or port formed in the plate B within the chamber0. The ports d d communicate, respectively, withthe bottom of thecylinders A A by means of tubular passages e e and the horizontalpassages to a. The tubular passages e e are arranged between the twocylindersA A, on opposite sides thereof, and

inders, and extend vertically between the upper and lower rims ofthecylinders.

E represents the inlet-passage communicating with the chambers O O, andE represents the outlet-passage formed in the plate B. f are theoutlet-ports formed in the plate B between the ports a d and c d,respectively. The outlet-port f communicates with the outlet-port f andoutlet E by means of a horizontal channel'or passage-way, f, formed inthe plate B.

G G represent the valves, which are arranged, respectively, in thechambers O O, and rest upon the top of the plate B. The

valves G G slide between parallel gnideways b 6 j The flange If of theplate B rests upon u are preferably cast in one piece with the cyl-I g9, formed on the plate B in the valve-chambers on opposite sides of thevalve-ports, so

that the valves G G cover the valve-ports 6 dj" and c df, formed in thechambers O and C, respectively. The valves G G are of the proper size,so as to-cover the discharge-ports ff and either of the endports, c c ord d,and

are concaved on their under side, or hollowed out, whereby acommunication is formed be- 10 tween one of the end ports, a c or d d,and the central dischargeports. The valves G G cover the discharge-portsat all times and prevent any communication between the discharge-portsand the chambers G O. When I 5 the valves are in the position shown inthe drawings, a passage is formed between the port f and d by the valveG, and between the ports f and c by the valve G. When the valves are inthis position, t-he'water is permitted to enter the cylinder A above thepiston through the port 0, and the cylinder A below the piston throughthe port (1 and passage 6. The

valves G G are exposed on their upper surface to the pressure of thewater in the cham- 2 5 bers G C, which communicate directly with thewater-supply through the inlet E, and are confined to the valve-seats onthe plate B by the pressure of the liquid on the valves.

H H represent the pistons, which are arranged, respectively, in thecylinders A A,

and h h" are the piston-rods extending up wardly from the pistonsthrough the cylinders,

and terminating inclosed tubular extensions h?,which are secured to thetop cover, B. The

3 5 upper ends of the rods h h are guided in the extension h by anysuitablemeans. I

The pistons H H each consist of two disks of leather or other pliablematerial,which are interposed between two disks or plates, q q.

0 The edges of the leather disks fit closely around theinner surfaces ofthe cylinders and form a water-tight joint. The top plate, q, isprovided with a downwardly-projecting hub, g", which extends through anopening formed j in the leather disks or plates, and is provided nearits lower end with an external screwthread, over which engages ascrew-nut, q, whereby the parts are held together. The

lower ends of the pi ston-rods h h are provided with externalscrew-threads, which engage in internal screw-threads formed in the hubs(1 whereby the same are secured to the pistons.

i z" are the valve-rods by means of which the valves G G are operated.The rods ii are 5 5 connected at their inner ends with the valves G G bymeans of a screw-threaded nut or 001- lar, i, which is arranged betweentwo lugs, g projecting upward from the top of the valves. The lugs g areslotted to receive the end of the rod, and which permit the valves torest freely on the plate B. The rod 1', which is attached to the valveG, extends through the wall 0" of the chamber 0 and over the cylinder A,and is guided at its outer end through. an opening formed in adownwardly-projectinglug,j, se-

cured to the under side of the top plate or cover,

B. The outer end of the rod i is preferably made square ,or rectangularin cross-section,

and the opening in the lugj of correspondingform, so as to prevent therod 1' from turning therein.

j represents a stud or support secured to an arm formed on the plate B.The stud j is arranged between the wall a and the lug j, and is providedwith an opening through which the valve-rod is guided, and whereby therod iis supported between the wall 0 and its outer end.

The opening in the wall 0 through which the valve-rod passes is providedwith a suitable stufling-box or gland, c.

The valve-rod i, which operates the valve G, extends through the wall 0of the chamber 0 in the opposite direction of the rod 1', so as toproject over the cylinder A. The rod i is supported and guided byasimilar lug, j, and

support j, whereby the rod z is supported and guided.

k represents a vertical plate guided between two vertical ways, k, whichare formed or secured to a frame, k". The frame is is secured to theouter side of the casing O and straddles the piston-rod )1, so that theways k are arranged on opposite sides of the piston-rod and paralleltherewith. The inner faces of the ways 7c are recessed to receive thebeveled edges of the plate k, which slides between the ways k. The plateIt is provided at its upper and lower ends with horizontal rings 1 Z,which extend backward from the face of the plate and surround thepiston-rod h. the plate It is provided with an inclined slot, I, inwhich engages a roller or projection, m, which is secured to thevalve-rod 1' between the supports j j. On moving the plate is verticallybetween the ways k the roller m, engaging in the inclined slot 1* of theplate, imparts a horizontal slidingmovement to the valverod i and to thevalve G, which is attached to the inner end of the rod. The valve-rod11, which is attached to the valve G, is provided witha similar roller,m, which also engages with a similar vertically-sliding plate, k, on thepiston-rod h. The plate k, which operates the valverod 1', is supportedbetween similar ways, is, secured to the opposite side of the casing G.

n n are stops or collars secured to the pistonrod h, and arranged,respectively, above and below the plate k, and n" n are similar collarssecured to the piston-rod h, one above and the other below the plate k.The collars n n and n n are arranged on the piston-rods h h in suchmanner that when thepistons have nearly completed their upward strokethe col- The face of lars n n will come in contact with the rings l ofthe plates k and cause the latter to ride upward with the rods, and whenthe pistons have 'nearl y completed'their downward stroke the collars nn will come in contact with therings Z of the plates k and force thelatter downward. The valve'rods i i,engaging in thein clined slots inthe plates 70, are causedto take part in the movement of the pistons,andthereby change the position of the valves and alternately open and closethe end ports,c cand (Z (1.

0 0 are upwardly-projecting annular flanges or rings, preferably cast inonepiece with the bottom A ,on which rest the pistons H H when at thelimit of their downward stroke, and 0 0 represent downwardly-projectingflanges or rings, cast with the bottom of the plate B, against which theupper surfaces of the pistons strike when at their extreme upwardmovement.

The inner surfaces of the cylinders A A are preferably provided with alining, p, of brass or other suitable metal, forming a smooth surfacefor the pistons, and which can be cheaply and easily replaced when worn.

When the parts are in the posit-ion as shown in the drawings, and theinlet-passage E is connected with the water-main or other source ofsupply, the valve-chambers O O are filled through the inlet E, and thepressure of the water or other liquid in the chambers O 0, bearing uponthe top of the valvesGG,-retains the latter snugly upon their seats. Thewater escapes from the chamber 0 through the port 0 and into thecylinder A above the piston H, and also at the same time from'thechamber 0 through the port d into the passage e, and through the passagea into the bottom of the cylinder A. As the liquid flows into thecylinder A the piston H is forced upward, and when it has nearly reachedthe limit of its upward movement the collar n engages against the underside ofthe ring Z ofthe slide k, and raises the same until the piston Hhas completed its upward stroke. During this movement of the piston-rodh and the slide is the valve G is shifted by its rod i engaging with theinclined slot in the slide k, thereby closing the port 0 and opening theport d of the cylinder A. The port 0 by this movement of the valve G ismade to communicate with the discharge-port f and the port d with thevalve-chamber G. The liquid now finds its exit from the chamber 0through the port d into the passage 6, and into the cylinder A below thepiston H, forcing the latter upward. The water contained in the cylinderA above the piston, which had previously entered through the port a, isnow permitted to escape through the port 0 into the dischargeportfandinto the outlet E. When the piston H has nearly reached its upwardstroke, the collar n engages against the under side of the ring Z,surrounding the piston-rod h, and raises the slide it, which engages.with the valve-rod t" of the valve G, thereby shifting the latter so asto close the port d and open the port 0. The port d is now incommunication with the port f, and the port 0 with the chamber 0. Thewater is now permitted to escape through the port 0 into the cylinder Aabove the piston, and theliquid contained in the cylinder A below thepiston H is forced out through the opening a in the bot-tom of thecylinder into the passage 6 and port d, from which it escapes into thedischarge-port f, and from thence to the outletEC, When the piston H hasnearly completed its clown- ,ward stroke, the collar 91 which is securedto the pistonrod h above the slide it, engages against the ring- Z andforces the slide downward, and returns the valve G to its formerposition and permits the liquid to enter the top of the cylinder A;

It will be noticed that the movement of the valve of one cylinder iscontrolled by the movement of the piston in the opposite cylinder, andthe piston in one cylinder isat rest until the piston in the oppositecylinder has completed its stroke and moved the valve of the oppositecylinder.

My improved meter is cheaply constructed, and can be operated with avery low or high pressure, and at all times. The parts being simple inconstruction renders the whole apparatus very simple, compact, andreliable in its operation.

Any suitable registering mechanism may be connected with the meter in awell-known manner.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, in a liquid-meter, of twomeasuringcylinders, A A, arranged side by side and provided withindependent pistons H H and piston-rods h h, valve-chambers O 0,arranged above said cylinders and provided with ports 0 c,communicating, respectively, with the cylinders A A above the pistons,and ports (I d, communicating with passages leading to the opposite endsof said cylinders, valves G G, arranged in the chambers G Oand providedwith valve-rods t t, which extend through the walls of the chambers O C,and are arranged at right angles to the piston-rods, and mechanismwhereby the valverods are actuated by the piston-rods, substantially asset forth.

2. The combination, with the cylindersA A, provided with marginalflanges a a and passages e e, of the bottom plate, A provided with thepassages a a, communicating with the passages e 6, plate B, providedwith passages d d, communicating with the opposite ends of the passagese e, and cover B, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the cylinders A A, bottom plate, A, providedwith the horizontal passages a a, and plate B, provided with thepassages d d, vertical passages e 6, formed on opposite sides of thecylinders and communicating at their opposite ends with the passages a aand d d, ports 0 0, formed in the plate Band communicating with thecylinders A A, cover B, and chambers O C, arranged above the plate B,and communicating with the passages in the plate B, and provided withslide-valves G G, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the cylinders A to engage with the slides inand shiftthe valves when the pistons have completed their stroke,substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 16th day of August,

ROGER W. GRAVES.

Witnesses:

CARL F. GEYER, JNo. J. BONNER.

